Chicago Fire Sign Defender Shaun Francis

CHICAGO, Ill. (July 10, 2013) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Wednesday that the club has signed Jamaican defender Shaun Francis from USL-PRO side Charlotte Eagles. The 26-year-old will be added to the Fire’s roster pending receipt of his P1 Visa. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Shaun is a player that we’ve had our eye on for some time,” said Chicago Fire President of Soccer Operations Javier Leon. “He is a strong, powerful defender with experience in MLS and will provide additional depth along our backline.”

Francis joins the Fire after starting the 2013 season with the Charlotte Eagles. Francis signed with the USL-PRO side on March 27, 2013 and has scored three goals and added two assists in 12 matches.

The 6’0” defender was selected in the fourth round (63rd overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew after a standout collegiate career at Lindsey Wilson. In three years with the Blue Raiders, Francis made 61 appearances while scoring seven goals and nine assists, captaining the team to the 2009 NAIA National Championship.

Hailing from Mandeville, Jamaica, Francis earned his first cap for the Reggae Boyz in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago on Oct. 10, 2010 and scored his first international goal against Guadeloupe on Nov. 29, 2010. Since his debut, Francis has five caps and one goal to his credit.

The Fire welcome Liga MX champions Club America in an International Friendly presented by TrueCar at Toyota Park on Wednesday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. CT (ESPN2/ESPN Deportes). Tickets for the match are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire, by visiting www.Chicago-Fire.com or Ticketmaster. The international friendly will serve as Bonus Game 1 in the Fire Season Ticket and Ten Game packages. The first 5,000 fans in the gates will receive a TrueCar car magnet.